Replacing copper pipe with PEX is an easy plumbing upgrade.

Major remodeling projects often involve opening up walls, floors, and ceilings and this is a good time to inspect old plumbing pipes and to replace them when necessary.The results of a major plumbing leak can be devastating if the water supply pipes are not inspected.All homes need to have old plumbing pipes replaced sooner or later.

Replacing water supply pipes used to involve installing new copper pipes joined with sweat-soldered fittings that required a flame torch and considerable skill.The galvanized steel water supply pipes that had been the standard from the 1950s to the 2000s were replaced with copper plumbing pipes.The use of copper has waned due to the introduction of PEX plumbing tubing.

Plumbing professionals now use flexible PEX for all new construction and repairs of existing copper systems.PEX is friendly to DIYers, who find the various methods of making connections much easier than soldering copper with a torch.PEX tubing can be connected with either a crimper or a push-fit connectors, and both require an inexpensive specialty tool.Both methods can be used to join new PEX tubing to existing pipes.

You have several options when you run into copper pipes that are leaking.

Replacing visible runs is a solution many DIYers choose because it is not as ambitious or expensive as re-piping the entire house.This option is not much harder than the spot fix option.

The lifespan of copper pipes is more than 50 years, but they do go bad eventually.It's not always easy to identify original copper pipes that are begging for a new life.When copper pipes are just starting to corrode, there are early signs you can look for, but leaks don't always gush forth and make themselves obvious.

Shut off the water and drain the pipes before you work on the under pressure water supply pipes.Branch valves in your system can be used to shut off water only to the section of pipe you are replacing, or you can close the main valve to keep the water flowing during repairs.

If you can, drain the pipes by opening a faucet at the lowest level of your home, such as in the basement or a first-floor utility sink.When you cut into the copper pipes, this will allow the pipes to drain and prevent mess.

The section you are replacing should be marked with the copper pipe.The replacement area should be extended past the corroded area at both ends.

To cut through the copper pipe, use a copper tubing cutter.A mini tubing cutter can be used in tight quarters.

There are sections of pipe that need to be supported to prevent them from sliding.Attach vertical pipes to the wall or floor frame with copper pipe straps and compatible screws.

Branch lines running to plumbing fixture such as toilets, sinks, showers, or bathtubs will need to be severed using the tubing cutter.If the branch connections have been made with something other than sweat-soldered fittings, you need to remove them with a wrench.

You can replace the copper fixture supply lines with PEX.Remove the copper fixture lines if that is the case.They should be left in place for the new section of PEX tubing.

The cut ends of the copper pipe need to be clean and smooth to ensure a good fit.Smooth the inside and outside of the cut copper pipe with a copper de-burring tool.The tool should be run a couple of inches up the pipe.

Measure and cut a length of PEX tubing long enough to replace the section of copper pipe that was removed.The push-fit connectors can add any length.Cut the PEX tubing in half to make room for expansion and contraction.

The end of the PEX tubing needs to be cleaned.To mark a depth line on the end of the tubing, follow the manufacturer's instructions.

One end of a push-fit straight connector should be pushed onto the cut ends of the copper pipe.The pipe needs to be fully seated into the bottom of the connector to reach the depth mark.If you want to push the PEX tubing all the way to the depth line, insert one end of the tubing into the other opening.

Attach the PEX to the copper pipe with a push-fit straight connector at the opposite end of the repair area.

If you want to provide a convenient shutoff for this section of the water supply system, you can install a push-fit ball valve.If the pipes need to be shut off for future repairs, the valve will remain open most of the time.If the wall will be closed up after repairs are made, don't install a shutoff valve.

You'll need to connect the fixture supply lines to the new section of PEX if you removed the copper segment.

A push-fit tee-fitting is used to patch into the line after cutting into it with a PEX tubing cutter.There are two outlets on the tee that connect to the PEX line.

The electrical system can sometimes be grounded through metal water pipes.Since plastic piping is not an electrical conductor, the continuous grounding path may be interrupted when replacing metal water pipes with PEX.